Huron-Bruce Tory MPP Says Party Unified Behind Ford

The chair of the Progressive Conservative caucus at Queen's Park is confident voters will accept Doug Ford as party leader.

Ford was declared the winner of the party's leadership race on the weekend, in a tight race with challenger Christine Elliott.

Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson says the period between former PC leader Patrick Brown's resignation and Ford's selection as Tory leader energized the party.

She predicts the energy will only increase toward and during the campaign for the June 7th provincial election.

Thompson isn't sure what plans Ford may have for her in his shadow cabinet, but says she will serve in whatever capacity he has in mind.

She has served as critic for environment and climate change, international trade, and indigenous relations and reconciliation.

Thompson pledges that the Tories won't make the same mistakes they made in previous election campaigns, and will respond to Ontarians' call for change if they're elected.

If the PCs form the next government, she says voters will expect much from the PCs after over a year of public consultation and input in crafting their election platform.

A recent Forum poll says 48 per-cent of Ontarians don't believe Ford is the right person to lead the Progressive Conservatives, but the Tories would still secure 44 per-cent of the vote in an election victory.